Succession: The Complete Series finally comes to Blu-Ray

This Blu-Ray set was sent to us from Warner Bros. My opinions are my own.

Succession: The Complete Series has captivated audiences with its gripping portrayal of the Roy family’s power struggles. With the release of the Blu-Ray version, fans looking to own the series may waver between the DVD and Blu-Ray versions. If you’re still rocking a DVD player, the decision is clear. Let’s break down why you might want to get the Blu-Ray version if you have a Blu-Ray player.

1. Video Quality

Blu-Ray:

• High Definition (HD): The Blu-Ray version offers superior video quality with 1080p resolution (16x9), providing a crisp and clear viewing experience.
• Enhanced Visuals: The Blu-Ray version showcases the series in stunning detail, making the intricate set designs and character expressions more vivid as they fight for power.

DVD:

• Standard Definition (SD): The DVD version is limited to 480p resolution, which doesn’t capture the same level of detail as Blu-Ray.
• Basic Visuals: While still enjoyable, the DVD’s video quality is less sharp, which might be noticeable on larger screens.

2. Audio Quality

Blu-Ray:

• Superior Audio: Blu-Ray version has Dolby Digital Surround and DTS-HD Master Audio, offering a more immersive sound experience.
• Clearer Arguments: Enhanced audio quality ensures that dialogues, arguments, the disses, and sound effects are more distinct.

DVD:

• Standard Audio: The DVD comes in Dolby Digital 5.1, which is good but not as rich or dynamic as Blu-Ray.
• Basic Sound: The audio quality is adequate for most viewers but lacks the depth and clarity found in Blu-Ray.

 Your audio device also plays a factor. 

3. Special Features

Blu-Ray:

• Season 1 Disc 3: The cast and crew break down the action of the first season’s heart-stopping finale.
• Season 2 Disc 1: Four inside the episode featurettes.
• Season 2 Disc 2: Three inside the episode featurettes.
• Season 2 Disc 3: Three inside the episode features, An invitation to the set with the series’ storytellers, Meet the Roys, Character recaps.
• Season 3 Disc 1: Succession: Controlling the narrative - Episode 2.
• Season 3 Disc 2: Succession: Controlling the narrative - Episode 4 and 5.
• Season 3 Disc 3: Succession: Controlling the narrative - Episode 7 and 8, Who said it? with Sarah Snook & Alan Ruck and Nicholas Braun & Matthew Macfadyen, Roy family food chain.
• Season 4 Disc 1: Controlling the narrative: Breakdown of each episode.
• Season 4 Disc 2: Controlling the narrative: Breakdown of each episode.
• Season 4 Disc 3: Controlling the narrative: Breakdown of each episode, The cast of Succession’s advice to their characters, The best of Logan Roy, Who said it: Logan & Gerri and Tom & Greg, Scene Swap: Tom & Greg character recaps.

DVD:

• Season 1 Disc 3: The cast and crew break down the action of the first season’s heart-stopping finale.
• Season 2 Disc 1: An invitation to the set with series’ storytelling, Four inside the episode featurettes.
• Season 2 Disc 2: Three inside the episode featurettes.
• Season 2 Disc 3: Three inside the episode featurettes.
• Season 3 Disc 1: Succession: Controlling the narrative - Episode 2.
• Season 3 Disc 2: Succession: Controlling the narrative - Episode 4.
• Season 3 Disc 3: Who said it? With Sarah Snook & Alan Ruck and Nicholas Braun & Matthew Macfadyen, Roy family food chain.
• Season 4 Disc 1: Controlling the narrative: Breakdown of each episode.
• Season 4 Disc 2: Controlling the narrative: Breakdown of each episode.
• Season 4 Disc 3: Controlling the narrative: Breakdown of each episode, Who said it: Logan & Gerri and Tom & Greg, Scene swap: Tom & Greg character recaps.

4. Storage and Packaging

Both the Blu-Ray and DVD versions of Succession: The Complete Series come with similar storage and packaging. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind:

• Disc Security: The case design for both versions has been noted to have issues with discs not always remaining in place. This can be a bit frustrating as you need to be careful to prevent the disc holder from falling out.
• Cost Efficiency: While this design might help reduce manufacturing costs, it would be beneficial if the discs could snap securely into place to avoid any potential damage.
• Solution: Put the discs in a durable storage case.

When it comes to pricing, there is a noticeable difference between the two versions:

• Blu-Ray: Priced at approximately $85.40, the Blu-Ray version offers high-definition video, superior audio, and additional special features, making it a worthwhile investment for those with a Blu-Ray player.
• DVD: Available for around $58.99, the DVD version is a more affordable option, providing a standard definition viewing experience that is still enjoyable.
  
  

Choosing between the DVD and Blu-Ray versions of Succession: The Complete Series depends on your preferences and equipment:

• Blu-Ray: If you value high-definition video, superior audio, and additional special features, and have a Blu-Ray player, the Blu-Ray version is the way to go.
• DVD: If you’re looking for a more affordable option and are content with standard definition, the DVD version will still provide an enjoyable viewing experience.

Regardless of your choice, reliving the drama and intrigue of the Roy family is sure to be a thrilling experience. Jump into the full review below and find out why I give Succession a 4.5 out of 5!

Succession: The Complete Series... Reviewed!

Sophima

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New Survey - Wants VS Needs: Ease the fight for entertainment and wants!

According to a Mind & Money Connection survey, people are refusing to give up certain expenses even though they are considered non-essential.

The top expenses include:

• 'Treat Yourself' Purchases (like morning coffee) - 30.1%
• Health & Wellness (gym memberships, therapy, etc.) - 29.3%
• Media & Entertainment (streaming, music subscriptions) - 26.9%
• Experiences (movie tickets, concerts, theme parks) - 26.7%
• Social Activities (dining out, clubs, sports) - 22.5%

I can understand the desire to maintain certain health/wellness, and some extras to add normalcy during tough times, but there are options worth considering.

For those who want to hold onto non-essentials, I suggest exploring more affordable alternatives:

• Amazon Prime provides good entertainment value in addition to free shipping
  - Amazon offers monthly payment plans
  - Amazon provides TV/Film, Games, Music, and More in one service
  - Grubhub orders are free through Amazon Prime
• Free streaming services like FreeVee, Pluto TV, Tubi
• Buy good coffee to make at home
• Free-to-play gaming options, discounts/bundles and games you already own
• Thrift stores and second-hand shops for clothing
• Travel or enjoy a nice affordable staycation

The key is to budget and do your research, get creative with free/low-cost options, and prioritize covering essential expenses first. Resources like the $30 Now Home Internet service can help make entertainment and work accessible if you need to cut a cost.

Remember, there are also assistance programs in the U.S. for the less fortunate. With discipline and a good plan, you can hopefully get through this challenging time and establish a budget. For saving, Paypal actually has a saving account option that provides you with 4.30%, so if you plug a small amount of money into it on a consistent basis you can benefit.

Lastly, Rideshare drivers, you can make $1200/year without additional work by signing up for a tablet to entertain your passengers. There is no charge for you and tips may increase due to the added entertainment.

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Level Up Father's Day 2023

Father's Day is nearly upon us, and for a number of dads it can be summed up with a shrug because it's not deemed as big of a deal as Mother's Day. This isn't to compare, because moms rock, but... dads don't pop up on the radar, despite being awesome. 

Most moms are appreciated + loved + praised + you get the idea, meanwhile, dear old dad feels like an optional task to be celebrated. This includes very active stepfathers who have changed the lives of children who aren't biologically their own.

Even the O.G. ICE T feels the chill around this time of year, and it's... summertime! What?! 

So this Father's Day, let us help you... show your dad some love + appreciation + praise + you get the idea. Here's our Father's Day gift guide for 2023... by a Dad for Dads!

Of course, a dad won't turn down a tie or a pair of socks. Usually, he isn't going to pout, because a lot of dads don't want that type of look and... many try to go in with no expectations. So... this year, consider going an unconventional route that turns his head for a few reasons.

Not only can you surprise your dad with an item, and I'm not saying go around flashing price tags... but if the deal is unbelievable the dad who's big on deals might be impressed because of the resourcefulness. Tech is a given, but the question would be what type of tech would he appreciate and actually utilize.

If he's big on TV, but he's also a gamer... definitely consider a Samsung option featuring the Gaming Hub + an Xbox game controller to use with TV. This is a bigger purchase, but... there are deals that you can land for great prices with nice lengthy warranties thrown in (i.e. 5-year coverage).

If I were to recommend tools, they would be the uncommon ones that you're able to attach to others (like a drill guide) for the sake of getting more than one use out of it. I'm not going into specifics about certain tools though, because I don't know who has what... so look around for yourself with deals in mind.

If you don't know a lick about tools, and you don't have anyone to pinpoint what your dad could want, leave this one alone. If this is something you really want to gift to your dad, either listen for hints while asking him what some of the best tools are or... get a gift card.

By the way, there are various tools for home repairs, automotive, PC repair, and even left-field ones like the golf ball retriever.

Food is definitely a given, but forget a sandwich on the couch next to a Father's Day card. Take him out! As many of you know, the sandwich might be a nice gesture, but if you can enjoy some fun times over a good meal that he likes... that's a memory he'll likely never forget. Aim at usefulness, food, and fun that doesn't consist of... socks, mugs, hats, talking bass... and things like that. If he's already been there and done that, give him a different experience. If you absolutely have to get him a tie, add a suit to the mix... or at least the shirt + tie + watch or shoes.

I can't forget about fun experiences to round this one out. Whether he gets out a lot or not so much, an experience can be just what he needs and... here is a list of them to consider:

Comedy Shows - This is a great way to get Dad out to enjoy some of his favorite comedians.

Movie Tickets or a Movie Theater Membership - Monthly tickets included + Discounted snacks

Mini Golf, Golfing, or a nice Driving Range experience

Bowling, Racing, or whatever you decide... as long as he knows it's from the heart, he'll appreciate it. I don't want to minimize certain gifts, but if you can bring it this year... consider it.

If he's not big on using phones, but he has a table sitting beside his favorite chair... consider an Echo Show for video chat and much more. He might assume you're trying to keep tabs on him, but... there's nothing wrong with keeping in touch, plus having access to the weather, a calendar, access to smart home devices, music, shows, news, etc. 

This will most likely get plenty of use from the sheer point of curiosity... alone. You can ask him about it over time and find out what he's been doing with it, drop tips, and all that good stuff if he's not big on tech. 

It may seem weird to some of us, but there are literally adults under 50 who aren't tech-savvy at all... so this should prove useful without the need to fidget with their phone or laptop.

That said, I'll leave it here. Fun it up this Father's Day and get tons of pics. You never know the time you have left to make memories and capture priceless moments with Dad... so your mission starts now!

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Wishmas List 2020!

So... today is the day to present my 2020 Wishmas List! 

These products are in no particular order, and get the job done for function and/or fun!

Off the bat... the 1More Portable BT Speaker. These speakers deliver a damn good audio experience... and pairs together for increased immersion. Portable speakers and headphones don't cancel each other out, there's a time and place for both. These speakers work great for in-home audio, but... they're portable and allow you to get out and enjoy music, shows, movies, and even games while outside or just away from home in general.

Portable speakers are mentioned first, because with Covid-19... I know that many are tired of being at home and... if you want to get out and switch things up... these speakers come in handy. You can use portable speakers to dance with bae, enjoy music at the park over a meal or dinner + a movie, have social distance workouts, and all that good stuff.

Another portable speaker that I have to mention in this Wishmas List is the Sony SRS-XB Portable BT Speaker... even if the body of some models doesn't exactly work well for all surfaces (while standing). This particular speaker wasn't reviewed on SDGT, but... I have to mention it because the party connect (of up to 100 compatible speakers) increases the number of things possible. You don't need a loudspeaker for group activities like yoga/fitness groups to keep everyone on beat + socially distanced, and if you break out the projector... you have some drive-in movie potential going on. BYOS!

This particular speaker is the Sony SRS-XB43

Mentioning a certain monitor this year is a bit of a challenge, even with monitor upgrades. This year I want to bring the price point down, but in the $50 to $200 range there really isn't a solid monitor with good enough specs. So to go slightly beyond that... I suggest the Viewsonic 27" WQHD.

This particular Viewsonic is a 27" curved gaming monitor for $229.99 with a refresh rate of 144Hz + a max resolution of 2560 x 1440 and a response rate of 3ms. It comes with FreeSync Premium under the hood as well. You also get 2 HDMI Inputs + 1 DisplayPort. There is a Gigabyte out there with similar specs, but... the max resolution is 1920 x 1080 for the exact same price. Just say... no. The Samsung Odyssey G5 is nice too, and also has similar specs as the Viewsonic... except it's missing that extra HDMI port.

Not everyone is looking for a new monitor, some of you have a telly on your wishlist. This year, I can easily recommend the TCL 6-Series. The TCL 6-Series R635 HDR 4K UHD Smart QLED TV... not only comes equipped with a Roku under the hood for pretty much all your streaming needs, but it delivers some really awesome quality for the price. You can place this TV alongside some of the more popular brands and get similar, almost as good, or even better quality as far as clarity is concerned.

Now... size is totally up to you, they come in 55", 65", and 75"... but I can't go bigger than 55" (personally). Either way you play it, just make sure that you have the right sized entertainment center or base to hold this thing. Again, with Covid-19 in full swing... the in-home entertainment is one of the easier things to upgrade if the price is right... and the TCL 6-Series 55" comes in less than $700!

The TV also includes HDR10, HLG, and... (drums) Dolby Vision! There are definitely other features in there... but you're welcome to check them out here as I move on to the next item on the Wishmas List! By the way, if you're looking to make your TV... smart for a decent price, consider the Chromecast with Google TV. You get the apps to stream to your hearts content + Google Stadia support is headed to the device in 2021... which gives you the option to game without a PC or console.

This next item up... is a surround sound system. Specifically the Logitech Z906 THX-Certified 5.1 Surround Sound. Before I jump in... don't pay $400 for this system, use this link so that you can price match it at Best Buy for $233.65! As a matter of fact, use any of these links to price match and get the best deal!

Anyway, the Logitech Z906 system delivers 1000 watts peak sound, THX-Certified + Dolby Digital + DTS encoding. If you're at home and want to enhance your audio experience... i'd have to recommend a solid system but the reason why I single this one out is because of the ports. I have Logitech, but I didn't want to make it a brand thing... I like the versatile setup of the Z906. You can connect multiple inputs simultaneously, which range from compatible 3.5mm devices, RCA, six-channel direct, digital coaxial + optical inputs. Also you get a control console + a basic but useful remote control.

Add this to your TV or PC setup and dive into your enhanced audio experience. There are definitely other brands out there to choose from for lower prices... but I haven't utilized a lot of them.

As far as headphones go, i'd easily add the 1More True Wireless ANC In-Ear THX-Certified Headphones. No wires, charging case, the case is also able to be charged wirelessly + the sound quality is just amazing. Check out the full review... here!

I can't forget about the Smartwatches. Specifically the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, because I can get that traditional look while still getting smart watch functions. I'm more inclined to have this sort of watch because I don't think the usual look for the smart watches look as good with a suit (IMO). Samsung gives you the option to decide on the size, face, and the band color (though there are some great third party bands out there if you want to increase your options).

I'm not hating on the Apple Watch, but I haven't invested in the Apple ecosystem, and I don't like the way the watch looks when paired with my style... but to each your own. Apple also has options as far as bands go, and they appear to have a crapload more than Samsung, so take your pick based on what works best for you (look, function, price). 

Smartwatches are on the list in general based on what they do, but I want mine to fit my style + enhanced functionality.

The Galaxy Watch 3 has a meditation feature, stress meter, a breathing sensor, a sleep sensor, mobile pay potions, voice command, talk to text, the ability to stream music and pretty much the features i'd expect on an Apple Watch. There are certainly other watches out there, but if either of these are on your radar... I chalk it up to the look but also the Galaxy Watch is compatible with both OS if I decided to ever switch up.

Another item on the Wishmas List this year are remote control cars, but I urge you to beware because there are a lot of really bad options out there. Avoid the cheesy ones that focus on gimmicks rather than actual speed and the ability to take on rugged terrain, they're a waste of money to me and buyer's remorse is bound to set in. I don't hate on the stunt RCs but the flipping tires aren't something that will prove entertaining for the long haul.

I'd go as low as the Bezgar 17, but i'd recommend something more on the lines of a Soyee 42 Km/h All Terrain RC. The Soyee is less than $100 bucks but delivers on the functions that will make it enjoyable long term. You can actually race against other cars on and off road and also take on the terrain. It has a water proof rating of IPX5, 100m max range + a RC390 Brushed Motor (at 21K revs/minute).

I wouldn't normally add this sort of product to the Wishmas List, but... it's a gift that can transform playtime into some serious competition and gets you outside (I was thinking about this when Nintendo unveiled Mario Kart Live). 

Just imagine several racers spaced out (safe distance in effect) around a track made to scale, that gives you the ability to enjoy the company of others and... race it up on or off road. No offense to Nintendo's Mario Kart Home Live Circuit, but... how much are you spending on that when you could simply get Mario Kart for the Switch? There's a major price difference and less is required, plus you have the ability to race against anyone regardless of what type of RC they own (no compatibility requirements).

This year... I don't know if I recommend a console, but if I were to recommend one... it would either be the Playstation 5 or the Nintendo Switch. No offense to Xbox fans, but I have my reasons. I would recommend a PC before either of those this year, which gives you the option to work, play or create. When you consider Covid-19 and how many people are forced to work or learn from home... the PC is probably the top item i'd recommend this year. PC's range in price and specs, but with the various streaming options for games... you can play games that require higher specs on lower end PC's for the same price you would have to pay for a console subscription (based on your internet speed).

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